Heart disease was identified as a risk factor for mortality early in the COVID-19 pandemic. It was unknown if this risk would also apply to patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). To assess this risk, researchers conducted an international, multicenter retrospective study on 1044 patients with CHD who had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Infection was confirmed by … [Read more...] about COVID-19 in adults with congenital heart disease
Interventional cardiology
Top 10 Highlights of ACC 2021
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2021 scientific sessions took place virtually this year from 15-17 May. Here is our curated list of the top 10 highlights of these sessions. TALOS-AMI trial1: This trial followed 2697 patients who had experienced myocardial infarction (MI), undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and completed 1 month of dual … [Read more...] about Top 10 Highlights of ACC 2021
COVID-19 and cardiac arrest, a lethal combination
Researchers compared outcomes of patients who had suffered in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (16 March 2020). Between 01 January and 20 July 2020, 3026 cardiac arrests were reported to the Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. https://youtu.be/n8g-88glR-Q Of these 3026 cardiac arrests, 1946 occurred … [Read more...] about COVID-19 and cardiac arrest, a lethal combination
Effect of Empagliflozin on exercise ability and symptoms in heart failure patients
The EMPERIAL (Effect of EMPagliflozin on ExeRcise ability and HF symptoms in patients with chronic heArt faiLure) trials evaluated the effect of 10 mg empagliflozin versus placebo on exercise ability in patients with heart failure. EMPERIAL-Reduced (NCT03448419) randomized 312 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 40%) to receive either … [Read more...] about Effect of Empagliflozin on exercise ability and symptoms in heart failure patients
Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors improve transcatheter aortic valve replacement prognosis
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive procedure to replace narrowed aortic valves that fail to properly open. Following this procedure, however, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis persist and are linked to worse prognosis. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibition can protect against these risks and in response to … [Read more...] about Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors improve transcatheter aortic valve replacement prognosis